Child Who "Doesn't Know" Where Things Go

[Unregistered]

My motto is if you fuss about picking up or stop helping, everyone else is done picking up and what's left is all for that kid to finish by himself. Feel free to join us when you are done.

[knoxmomof2]

I've had various forms of "helplessness" pop up- from your issue, to "it's too heavy" (after they got it out themselves), to a 3.5 year old suddenly "forgetting how to dress herself" (clearly came from jealousy because DCG2.5 had started potty training). I just remind them that they are capable and leave them to work it out. In regards to cleaning, they're restricted to what/ how many toys they/ the group are allowed to have based on behaviors. If there seems to be a theme of no one wanting to clean up, they are restricted to only 1 large bin or set (Legos, wooden blocks, trains) out at a time- for the whole group.

If it's 1 child and the rest are doing great, they are done early and the 1 fighting it cleans up. If they're throwing a fit/ acting out, they do timeout first and I'll save a mess for them. This is obviously for an older child who knows what's expected. For younger or newer children, I walk with them and guide them piece by piece.